SB 97, the Equipment Right to Repair Act, requires manufacturers of farm equipment sold or used in West Virginia to provide independent repair shops and equipment owners with necessary documentation, tools, and firmware access after a new equipment warranty expires. It directly affects farmers, independent repair businesses, and manufacturers of agricultural machinery like tractors, harvesters, and sprayers (excluding road vehicles). Key provisions mandate that manufacturers make available repair manuals, diagnostic tools, security codes, and firmware updates to non-affiliated repair providers or owners, ensuring they can maintain or fix equipment without manufacturer restrictions. The bill establishes the Agriculture Commissioner as the enforcing authority and defines terms like "independent repair provider" and "embedded software" to clarify requirements. This law aims to increase repair options and reduce costs for agricultural operations by standardizing access to repair resources.
SB 398 removes the requirement that the State Health Officer, Commissioner of the Bureau for Public Health, and Commissioner of the Bureau of Senior Services must work full-time and cannot hold other jobs. This bill amends West Virginia law (sections §16-1-5 and §16-5P-4) to eliminate the prohibition on these officials engaging in other business, occupations, or employment. The change aims to make these leadership roles more attractive to qualified candidates by allowing greater flexibility in their employment. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Health and Human Resources committee.
HB 4568 prohibits serving legal documents (like summonses) for civil or Family Court cases on property owned by counties in West Virginia. This directly affects plaintiffs trying to initiate lawsuits against county entities and county governments as defendants. The bill adds a new section to state law (§56-3-35) explicitly banning such service on county-owned land. It does not change existing rules for serving process on private property or in other locations. The law would take effect upon enactment.
HB 4709 gives the West Virginia Legislature legal standing to sue state officials (like the Governor or Secretary of State) who make unauthorized changes to election laws or rules. It also requires courts to allow the Legislature to automatically intervene as a "real party in interest" in any lawsuit challenging election law legality or constitutionality. This directly affects election officials and changes how election-related court cases are handled in West Virginia. The bill clarifies the Legislature’s role in election litigation but does not alter election rules themselves.
HB 4693 declassifies Community and Technical Education (CTE) teaching positions at community colleges and trades-based high school instructors teaching CTE courses, allowing counties to target additional funding to specific roles in critical need. Currently, all CTE positions are grouped together, requiring county funding to be distributed across all positions; this bill removes that classification barrier. The bill maintains existing state funding for these positions while enabling counties to add supplemental funds to high-demand roles like skilled trades or healthcare education. This change aims to help fill staffing shortages in key CTE fields by letting counties offer targeted financial incentives without reducing state support.
This Senate Resolution (SR 32) expresses the West Virginia Senate's commitment to protecting coal-dependent communities and energy infrastructure. It specifically requires coal-fired power plants to operate at a minimum 69% annual capacity factor to maintain grid reliability and protect over 10,000 coal jobs, while opposing actions that threaten mine closures or job losses. The resolution also pledges to prioritize local coal jobs over "out-of-state contracting" and prevent ratepayers from bearing higher costs due to reduced coal generation. As a non-binding resolution (adopted February 18, 2026), it does not create new law but formally commits the Senate to supporting coal through policy advocacy and oversight.
SB 990 establishes the West Virginia ALS Care Services Act to provide targeted support for residents living with ALS and their caregivers. The bill requires the Department of Human Services to fund three key programs: (1) care coordination and support services to help navigate medical systems, (2) loans for reusable ramps and essential medical equipment (like mobility aids), and (3) access to specialized multidisciplinary ALS clinics. These provisions aim to help individuals remain safely in their homes longer, reducing reliance on costly hospital visits and institutional care. The program directly affects West Virginia residents diagnosed with ALS and their primary caregivers by addressing critical financial and medical barriers.
SB 991 would codify the common law cause of action for public nuisance into West Virginia statute by adding a new section (§55-7-33) that defines public nuisance in a way consistent with its historical application. This bill directly affects individuals, businesses, and government entities involved in public nuisance lawsuits by replacing vague common law standards with a specific statutory framework. The key mechanism establishes clear legal criteria for when a public nuisance claim can be filed, such as conditions endangering public health or safety. The bill aims to clarify the legal process without altering the fundamental nature of public nuisance claims.
SB 988 requires West Virginia county school boards to submit annual staffing plans by May 1, detailing all covered employees (including teachers and support staff) by category, justification, and budget impact. The West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) will then issue annual staffing recommendations and maximum funded allowances by April 1, based on enrollment, special education needs, and other objective criteria. County boards can request exceptions to these limits by submitting a written justification and funding plan, but must receive WVDE approval to hire above recommended levels. If a county exceeds the limit without approval, WVDE can order corrective actions like eliminating unfunded positions or suspending hiring until compliance is restored.
SB 983 creates a centralized public database called the State Tax Lien Registry, maintained by West Virginia's Tax Division. It requires the Division to file notices of unpaid tax liens (for final tax debts like fees, penalties, or interest) into this registry, including debtor names, addresses, lien amounts, and basis. Once filed, these liens automatically attach to all of the debtor's real and personal property (tangible and intangible) across all West Virginia counties for 10 years. This registry replaces older county filings and serves as the official record for tax liens against individuals or entities who owe the state money.
SB 989 changes membership rules for the Medical Services Fund Advisory Council and creates a new Medicaid Beneficiary Advisory Council. It increases the council size from 9-15 to 11-15 members, requires specific nominations from professional groups (like medical, dental, and primary care associations), and adds a new Medicaid Beneficiary Advisory Council to represent Medicaid recipients. The bill also repeals the old Children’s Health Policy Advisory Board structure and updates the council’s responsibilities to align with federal requirements. These changes directly affect council members, professional associations that nominate them, and Medicaid beneficiaries through the new advisory body.
SB 987 amends West Virginia's Human Rights Act to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation in employment, public accommodations, and housing. The bill adds these categories to existing protected characteristics like race, religion, and disability, defining "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" for clarity. It directly affects employers (with 12+ employees), businesses serving the public, and housing providers across the state. The legislation expands the scope of the Human Rights Act to cover these new protected classes under the same legal framework. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee after its February 18, 2026, introduction.
